Andi's Team in Training Page

Andi's TNT Page

Baltimore Marathon - Maryland

October 10, 2009

Jams and how this helps The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How to navigate page:

Top portion - blog

Middle portion - How & Why

Bottom portion- (very important!)

A personal message to each of YOU, my valued supporter and friends.

NEW UPDATE: June 24th - 2009

Blog entry

June 24: Jam is on it's way to you! Keep an eye out, and I hope you enjoy.

March 26: It's official!

I have been moved to the Baltimore Running Festival Marathon - 10.10.09 (which is my son's, Bryan's birthday 30th!) http://www.thebaltimoremarathon.com/site3.aspx

So why am I changing? Am I a wimp? Yes! I am a wimp! No just kidding...I have an annoying, a bit painful, and totally frustrating "stress - fracture" of my right foot. 3 toes are dislocated and a good ouchie. It probably happened when I upped my milage quickly and wore poor shoes. My son, Mike just ran a marathon on his stress-fracture (funny we had one at the same time) but he didn't have to train for then next 4 weeks, and had to run the marathon. He is amazing and makes me so proud! Anyway, I am back to running now, but shorter distancing while I am healing. (you must know by now I am a bit hard-headed). I am back to training full in June. This summer allows me to train in more time and and I can also train in my pool where there are not as many stress points on my feet. I am still there, and supporting all my LLS friends that I am honoring and also doing this for all those that are remembered.

Thank you once again for your dedication to the journey. All of your monies now go 100% to everyone who has Leukemia or Lymphoma, since I have (thanks to your generous donations!) made my monatary goal for LLS. You have my heart and many, many thanks! ~A

March 8th: Oh goofy me. I haven't updated, although I had promised to. What a month this has been.....but can't look back, only forward and realize I need to update more.

First off: Results of Nuclear Stress Test was negative for any problems. My blood pressure had been running unreasonably high, and doctor thought I should do this test just to be sure I was ok. So this has now cleared the way for me to wind up the distance and up my pace. So far, since really training starting in January 09, I have lost a total of 25 pounds and for this , am very thankful. Not only is it easier on my heart muscle, but my joints are having to carry less weight, and we all know that is so much better for my overall health.

I have really started talking to my fellow Frederick marathoners and have become friends with 3 others and it will be a joy approaching the finish line with these amazing three other women.

My coach; Pat, is herself, another truly amazing woman. I don't know how she knows all of us, but she does and always is supportive and wonderful. Pat is doing a half in Little Rock, Arkansas this coming weekend, so I wish her the best of luck!

We also learned alot about nutricion, energy suppliments, (well! I have never heard of "GOO") drinking water the whole week, and not just doing it after you complete your milage, and keeping electrolytes in balance. Very informative, and a welcomed addition to my training.

Oh yes, my joints still hurt, but not as annoying as when I started. Breathing is better too, although I am still at this time hacking from bronchitis.

Thank you all for making my job of training so much easier by your daily support, prayers, and monetary contributions. I never forget who I am doing this for. Please see the honor roll of why I continue to forge on and help folks that can't do this right now.

Did you know that a contribution of just $5.00 (a BIG MAC value meal for you) will bring enough healthy food to the table of the families that have to stay at a place near where their familly member is being treated for a blood cancer?

STATS: 6 miles 3/8/09 : Loch Raven 15 minute pace, because I was talking the whole way with a friend. Oh well, I enjoyed getting to know Lauren!

This week: 3 miles x 3 days, 7-8 miles LDD, (long distance day) on Friday or Saturday.

Have a great week everybody!

February 7th: This is what I will fondly call, the weekend I spent getting to know "Team In Training" better, both as an organization, and as a "Team". A large number of people that included coaches, mentors, staff, felllow teammates, and past "Team in Training" alumni met at the "Hard Rock Cafe'" (in Baltimore) for the "Kick-off" breakfast that included well....breakfast (of course). A festive atomsphere coupled with many inspirational stories, great tips on fundraising, the story behind the "Team in Training" story, and fellowship abounded. I was immensely and profoundly touched and left with joy in my heart and a whole new appreciation of the challenge I was about to embark on.

February 8th: First offical training day. Met at Fort McHenry in Baltimore for practice. Distance was 2 miiles, around the outskirts of the old fort. On Saturday, my son, Mike asked if I was "nervous" about starting my training. A whole host of "feelings" run through your mind, as I continplated this question. But was I nervous? To be totally honest here, I wasn't. This is not my typical nature, but like anyone I do occasionally have nervous moments . Not so much yesterday., because knew I was going to be prepared, relaxed, and able to recieve information, that will benefit my training experience. I am looking forward to embracing this journey, and I could not of done this without your constant support. Just knowing each of you is out there, reading your way through my training journal gives me the strength to do even better the next day......

Distance and Times:

Friday 2/6/09 - 5 miles. Run/walk with Mike, my son whose company brings me much joy and laughter and who is also training for a marathon. (ice, snow covered trail NCR) 1 hour 20 minutes. Average pace, 16 minute mile. (best time 9 min 20 seconds).

Sunday 2/8/09 - 2 miles. Run/walk (flat surface) Average pace: 14 minute mile. (best time 9 mins. 17 seconds).

Monday 2/9/09 - 2 miles. (Country road, steep inclines) Walk with Dexter the mastiff. Average 16 minute pace. (Hey! I had the dog!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm training to participate in an endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

FAQ's about what I expect to accomplish and the "why's".

Am I really a cancer survivor? Yes! In 1987 I was diagnosed and treated for a deadly form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma. I was surprised! I survived.

Thyroid Cancer - `1990. ~ involving lymph node removal x 11. Radioactive I-131 x 3. Still cancer free.

Am I lucky or what?

Why is Andi doing this? - I have decided to take this life-changing event on because I have always; for as long as I remember, been blessed to act and behave in a philanthropic way. This opportunity came upon me, and I wanted to grab "the brass ring" and go for the prize of helping to save lives of those with Leukemia and Lymphoma.

How do I find the time to participate? I am pretty busy, there are always cows to tend to, farm tools to play with, and then the general breaking of most of my house parts. But I am no busier then anyone else, and this is a once in a life-time oppurtiniity and I am taking full advantage of it. I find that I actully have more time; in fact, my time is more structured with my training shedule and it keeps life "real".

Am I to old? Well it is true, I am well over my 50th year, but age has nothing to do with changing your life, and helping others. Physically this training and subsequent 1/2 marathon will be challenging to my joints, my athletic strength, and my stamina for now. I expect this as start my training. As the days turn into weeks, and weeks into months, I will look forward to marathon day as an achivement in every sense of the word. Most importantly, my coach, and mentors will not yell at a old lady :) (At least not to much!) :)

Can you follow my progress? Yes! The actual start of my training (with the team) is February 8th, (athough my training now consists of getting and obtaining a good "base" for a solid endurence event.) I will post my progress, and links to videos, my thoughts and feelings as I go through the next 3 months.

Fundraising? How do I donate & what will I get if I donate to Team In Training? I would love to see donations! After all, I can't do this without "YOU" ~ In return, I promise you that I will put as much into my training and subsequent 1/2 of marathon because I know you are behind me. When you donate you can either do this online in secure enviorment, it's easy and quick too! If you would like to donate directly through mail, please make checks out to:

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or L.L.S. ~ sending the checks directly to me.

You have a choice to be annoymous, send messages, to donate in honor or memory of a loved one. This is a tax deductable contribution and will be more appreciated then you know.

Incentives from Andi from monies donated to Team In Training? Yep you heard it here. This is the deal. I understand how hard finances are for all of us now living in this time. This is why I appreciate your support so much. Donate what you can. Tell a friend, have people visit my site. Watch a farmgirl run!

What is the deal, (the incentive)? Ok, I want to donate! (First and foremost, I appreciate any and all you can donate. If that happens to be .05 cents, or more =======> I truly, truly appreciate it. Don't feel like you have donate anymore then you are comfortable with. Heck I would give the jam to you anyway, that is how much I appreciate YOUR support.)

1. For every $25.00 dollars donated (either on the website of through the mail) I will send you a jar of my freshly made:

"LongmeadowFarm Strawberry Delight Jam" postage and handling, and of course the jam too................for free!!

2. For every $50.00 dollars donated (either on the website or through the mail) I will send you

a jar of my freshly made:

"Longmeadow Farm - Robust Red Tomato Sauce" AND

"Longmeadow Farm - Strawberry Delight Jam".

Note: These are to be made by me, processed under USDA Preservation methods of safe canning practices and will bring many smiles to you and your family for the next year.

Other information that is very important.

The marathon day is scheduled for May 3rd 2009. All donation monies should be recieved 2 weeks prior to this date, April 26th, 2009.

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. I look forward to coming to know you, and you watching my process throughout this challenge. I appreciate your support more then you know.

A Shout out to my good friends and their HUGE support of my journey.

CoffeeB - Recipezaar Community - your friendship, you kindness, and your spirit will carry me through my long training days. YOU inspire me my friend, and all the joy you bring to your family. Thank you for your more then grand donation. Many hugs!

Brooke the Cooke in WI - Recipezaar Community - Gosh I have known you for two years, and you have always been a source of good spirit and many happy moments. Your contribution through your words and your donation touches my heart more then I can express. YOU have inspired me to keep going on this journey, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

appleydapply - Recipezaar Community - My Califorrnia friend that brings "More To This Life" by your charm, your humor, and words. Thank you so much for your support, it means the world to me.

NorthwestGal - Recipezaar Community - Vickie thank you for sharing your daddy with us. I am running in honor of Linton Hoff of Washington State and wishing him good health and much peace, and subsequently beating CLL, to be able to enjoy life further. Vickie, thank you for your very kind contribution, and you can bet he will be on my mind.

Lainey6605 - Recipezaar Community - Lainey my Penn. friend, you have always been a good neighbor, and I have always enjoyed knowing you and shared lots of fun times in the past years, I am so happy and thankful you donanted to this wonderful cause, and I thank you for your thoughfulness.

HokiesLady (Hoksie) - Recipezaar Community - Mel since I have known you , you have been like kin-folk to me, your are the most inspiring and lovely person, and your contribution to Team In Training absotlutely makes me so very, very happy. Thank you for making me chuckle or giggle everyday, I won't let you down. Thank you!

John Barnes - Team in Training thanks you, and I thank you for your support of the obvious challenge of a very old' cranky lady that runs on country roads. I won't let you down, thank you again for your grand support of this venture. This donation and run is deciated to the memory of Catherine A. Barnes, Bryan and Mike's grandmother, John's mother, and my friend.

Cheryl Dorr - Patient Finacial Servces- JHHS - Many thanks for your kind support of my challenge ahead. To a fellow friend and a gardener to the hottest peppers I have ever eaten, I will never forget you. Next time we will eat the hot pepper together. Ok? Thanks, Cheryl, you make my heart smile!

Sharon Guthrie - Patient Financial Services - JHHS - Having known you for many years now, I am so thankful to have you as a supportive, loving, and caring friend...that I miss seeing. But knowing you have supported me and know you will be following my progress and giving me holy heck if I don't follow through, inspires me to do more. Thank you so much, Sharon!

Phyllis Yakim - Chesapeake Wood Products - thank you Phyllis from the bottom of my heart for your very generous and extremely kind donation. I appreciate all the years you have spent with my Dad at Chesapeake Wood and it is I, who should donate back to you. A sincere thank you!

Mary McGuire - Patient Financial Services JHHS - forever my friend, my confident, my sister. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for your kind contribution, and your valued friendship over the last 10 years. "Here's to you, kid!" I wll carry your name and your strength through out this endurance event.

Questions? Words of encouragement? Would love to hear from you! my email is:

akplongmeadow@yahoo.com

My Recipezaar name and page:

http://www.recipezaar.com/member/428885

Latest Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUl6TuXdyYI